Vending machines



A. M. CARUSO VENDING MACHINES Nov. 15, 1960 Filed March 25, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEY Nov. 15, 1960 A. M. CARUSO 2,960,373

VENDING MACHINES Filed March 25, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 2/ 4/ 1:.EJ. J7 T I 52 .35

INVENTOR i/vma/w M 641F050 BY I ATTOR N EY 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 25, 1958 INVENTOR ATTORNEY United States Patent VENDING MACHINES Anthony M. Caruso, New Bedford, Mass, assignor, by mesne assignments, to The Seebnrg Corporation, a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed Mar. 25, 1958, Ser. No. 723,842

4 Claims. (Cl. 312-35) This invention generally relates to vending machines and particularly to a vending machine structure wherein elements of the vending machine mechanism are combined with components of the enclosure for that mechanism to form substantially lightweight but sturdy units constituting various parts of the complete vending machine structure, and wherein some of the units are fixed or stationary, while other units are mobile, being movably associated with the fixed units.

In the construction of heretofore used vending machines, the usual procedure employed was to build a vending machine mechanism first and then enclose that mechanism in a cabinet. Such mode of building vending machines necessitated the provision of a self-contained, usually heavy vending machine mechanism which had to be bodily placed into the cabinet. In turn, the cabinet had to be sufficiently sturdy to Withstand the weight of and to securely accommodate the vending machine mechanism. As a result, the overall weight of such vending machine becomes excessive and the volume of the machine requires substantial space for its placement. Also the accessibility to the interior of the machine for servicing is rendered difiicult because of the space problem.

The present invention is intended to overcome the various disadvantages encountered with heretofore produced vending machines, and its main feature is the provision of a substantially lightweight but sturdy vending machine structure of a rather diminutive size, wherein elements of the vending machine mechanism and components of the closure for that mechanism are intimately joined to form substantially lightweight, compact units, comprising the finished vending machine structure. In consequence of the underlying principle hereabove stated, the present vending machine in its finished form is extremely compact, sturdy and light in weight, affords ready accessibility to the interior portion of the machine, and the entire structure requires a very limited space for its placement and servicing.

The prime object of the present invention therefore is the provision of a substantially light weight, extremely compact, sturdy vending machine structure composed of integrated units, comprising elements of the vending machine mechanism and components of the enclosure for that mechanism, and wherein said elements of that vending machine mechanism and the components of the enclosure are of light weight construction and reciprocally reinforce one another, which results in a compact, substantially lightweight but sturdy vending machine structure requiring but a minimum of space for its placement, operation and servicing.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a unitary vending machine structure wherein a plurality of elements of the vending machine mechanism are integrated with and form reinforcements for components of the enclosure for housing that mechanism.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a unitary vending machine structure wherein components of 2,960,373 Patented Nov. 15, 196i) the enclosure for the structure are integrated with elements of the vending machine mechanism so that these latter elements reinforce and form units with the enclosure components, and wherein such units are substantially of a light Weight, thus rendering the complete vending machine structure substantially light, compact and sturdy.

The foregoing and numerous other objects of the present invention will become more clearly understood from the ensuing description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the vending machine in its fully closed state, according to the instant invention;

Fig. 2 is an end elevation thereof, partially in cross section;

Fig. 3 illustrates an end elevation of the machine with some of its mobile closure elements in their open position;

Fig. 4 is a top view of the machine, partially in section, and disclosing portions of the interior thereof, and showing its side doors closed in full lines, and in partly open position in broken lines;

Fig. 5 is a front elevation of the vending machine, partly in section, with the left side door in closed position and the right side door in partly open position;

Fig. 6 is a fragmental elevation showing the interior view of the left side door, seen from within the machine, and its locking arrangement;

Fig. 7 is a similar fragmental elevation of the right side door, seen from within the machine, with its keyoperated locking means in locking position, shown in full lines, and with its operative portion shown in unlocking position in broken lines;

Fig. 8 is a rear view of the cabinet, partially broken away;

Fig. 9 is a vertical cross section through the vending machine; and

Fig. 10 is a top view of the cabinet, partially in section, taken approximately along lines 1010 of Fig. 9.

In the figures, numeral 10 denotes the vending machine structure supported by four divergent legs extending from base 11, which latter has a frontal upward extension 12. Opposite extension 12 the base continues to form back 13, the latter being composed of a lower rear portion 13' and upper rear portion 13 connected by a channel formation 13a, as clearly seen in Figs. 8, 9 and 10. This channel formation 13a is intended to provide ac cess from the rear to the interior of the machine. Upper rear portion 13 terminates in a forward extension 14.

As will be noted in Fig. 9, the base is equipped with a false bottom 14 supported and reinforced by a pair of channels 14". Secured either directly to base 11 or extending from false bottom 14 are right and left-hand panels 15 and 16 which are fixedly secured by means of their peripheral flanges 17 to both the base 11 and back 13, whereby these two components are being not only reinforced but held in a position square to one another. The nature and purpose of panels 15 and 16 will be explained presently.

Hingedly associated at 18 with the upper end of base extension 12 is the lower front closure or lower front door 19 which, as can be seen in Fig. 3, can be swung outwardly. Pivotally secured at 20 with the forward top extension 14, is an angularly shaped frontal upper closure or upper front door 21, also seen in Fig. 3. Within the angular portion of upper front door 21 is housed a push button assembly, constituting an essential component of the vending machine mechanism, and comprising a sturdy frame, not shown, which extends over the full length of the upper door and forms a substantial reinforcement for the latter. The push buttons of that button assembly are indicated in broken lines in Fig. 1.

The free or upper end oflower front door '19 is pro:

vided with a seat or flange 22, while the free end of upper front door 21 terminates in a ledge 23 which is adapted to engage flange 22 when the two door components are in closing position as shown in Fig. 1.

Referring to Figs. 4 and 5, it will be noted that panels 15 and 16 are offset in respect to the outer edges of the vending machine structure so that a sufiicient space is provided for essential elements of the vending machine mechanism supported by these panels, but not shown, although these panels as such and together with the mechanism supported by them are to be regarded as essential elements of the vending machine mechanism.

Hingedly secured at 24 and 25 to the vertical edges of back 13 of the machine are left-hand and right-hand side doors 26 and 27, respectively. These side doors are adapted to not only close the sides of the vending machine but to completely cover panels '15 and 16 and to cooperate with lower and upper front doors 19 and 21 when these doors are in closing position by covering the edges of both doors. Side doors 26 and 27 are diagrammatically illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7 to show that both are equipped with individual locking means, seen also in Figs. 4 and 5. Left-hand door 26 is provided with a vertically extending locking bar 28 terminating at its upper end in a yoke-shaped handle 29, which latter is adapted, when the door is in closing position, to be moved downwardly and by so doing, to engage the interior face of reinforcing panel 16. The lower end of bar 28 is offset as at 30 and which oifset portion is adapted to engage reinforcing flange 31 extending upwardly from base 11.

Right-hand side door 27 seen in Figs. 4, and 7, is equipped with a key-operated locking arrangement comprising upper and lower bars 32 and 33, the adjacent ends of which are secured to connecting bar 34, which latter is pivoted at 35. Connecting bar 34 is adapted to be operated from without door 27 by means of a key, which is not shown. Bar 32 is provided with an offset at its upper end, the latter being adapted to engage the side flange 36 of short leg 37 of upper door 21 when the latter is in closing position, see Figs. 7 and 3. The lower end of bar 33 is similarly offset and is adapted to engage reinforcing flange 38 extending upwardly from base 11, see Fig. 7.

In order to hold lower and upper front doors 19 and 21 in their closing position, there will be seen secured near the free end of the longer leg 39 of upper front door 21 a locking bar 40 provided with a handle 41, consult Figs. 2, 3 and 4. As will be seen in Fig. 4, there extends from handle 41 a detent or bracket 42, and a corresponding detent element 43 is provided at the left-hand end of bar 40. These detent elements 42 and 43 are adapted to engage suitable apertures 42 and 43 provided in panels 15 and 16, respectively.

Referring to Figs. 3, 4 and 5, there are illustrated near the front edges of panels 15 and 16 supporting bolts 44 which serve as pivots for brackets 45, forming the lower ends of swingable holder 46 for receiving primary or major merchandise, such as packs of cigarettes. Disposed in front of holder 46 is another holder 47 intended for secondary merchandise, such as matches. Holder 46 together with holder 47 is adapted to be swung bodily either into or out of the vending machine structure, but both holders can be bodily removed from that structure since the slots in brackets 45 for receiving bolts 44 are open. In order to limit the outward swing of holders 46, 47 there are provided chains 48 detachably secured to both sides of holder 46 and to panels 15 and 16.

Referring now to Figs. 2, 3 and 4, it will be noted that in rear of mobile holder 46 is placed a fixed or stationary merchandise receiver 49 adapted for the reception of major merchandise, such as cigarettes. This fixed merchandise holder is permanently united with back 13, a component of the enclosure, thus forming a stiffener or reinforcement for the back, and in turn back 13 reinforces holder 49, which latter constitutes an essential element of the vending machine mechanism.

As seen in Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 5, fixed holder 49 is provided with a movable covering flap 50 which is pivotally suspended at 51 from forward extension 14 of back 13, see Fig. 3. Secured approximately at the center of flap 50 is a bracket 52, see Fig. 4, which serves both as handle for flap 50 and as spacer between fixed merchandise holder 49 and mobile merchandise holder 46, that is when flap 50 is in its normal, depending position as seen in Fig. 2. When fixed holder 49 is to be filled with merchandise, flap 50 is swung to its upward position, as seen in Fig. 3, and in that position it is temporarily held by a suitable hand operated detent or catch 50.

Referring to the lower portion of Fig. 3, it will be noted that the lower front door 19, while capable of swinging in outward direction, is limited in its movement by the provision of a pair of arcuate brackets 53 extending from the door inwardly. Brackets 53 are provided with arcuate slots 54 engaging fixed pins 55 extending from the inner reinforcing panels 15 and 16. Thus lower door 19 cannot swing any further than slots 54 and pins 55 allow.

In order to hold upper front door 21 in its swung-up position, as seen in Fig. 3, to provide access to fixed rear merchandise holder 49, there is attached to the upper edge of panel 16, see Fig. 4, a swingable supporting bar 56 which is pivoted at its lower end in a bracket 57 supported by the panel, as seen at the left side end of Fig. 4. The free end of bar 56 is notched, and that end is intended to engage a corresponding notch 58 provided in the longer leg 39 of upper door 21. When not in use, bar 56 can be swung downwardly into the position shown in 7 broken lines in Fig. 4.

As will be noted from Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 5, mobile merchandise holder 46, which is an essential element of the vending machine mechanism, forms, when in its in ward position, a spacer between panels 15 and 16 and also a reinforcement for the panels.

Consulting now Figs. 9 and 10, it will be seen that panels 15 and 16 are additionally reinforced by elements 59, 60 and 61 forming essential parts of the vending machine mechanism.

Considering now the entire structure of the machine, it becomes clearly evident that all of the elements of the vending machine mechanism are so associated with components of the enclosure for that mechanism that they actually form integrated units in which the elements of the vending machine and the components of the enclosure reciprocally reinforce one another, thus facilitating the employment of substantially light material for both these elements as well as these components, which feature renders the finished machine immeasurably lighter in weight than would be possible if the machine would be built in the usual old manner herebefore indicated. But not only a gain in lightness is effected by the present method, but the bulk of the machine is substantially reduced and its sturdiness and resistance to wear and tear is greatly increased.

In recapitulation, panels 15 and 16, in themselves forming essential elements of the vending machine mechanism, form units with and reinforce the base and the back of the machine. Similarly fixed merchandise holder 49, also an essential part of the vending machine mechanism, forms a reinforcement of back 13, and in turn back 13 reinforces holder 49. By the same token mobile merchandise holder 46 forms, when in its inward position, both a spacer and reinforcement for panels 15 and 16 and the panels again reinforce holder 46 in its inward position. Side doors 26 and 27 comprise, when in closed position, enclosure components which are reinforced by panels 16 and 15, while these panels in turn constitute reinforcements for the side doors. Similarly, upper front door 21 and the push'button assembly mounted therein, the buttons of which assembly are indicated in Fig. 1, constitute a unit composed of an essential element of the vending machine mechanism and an essential component of the enclosure, both reciprocally reinforcing one another.

Considering now the overall structural aspects of the present device, it becomes very clear that due to the formation of lightweight, sturdy integrated units of which the present vending machine is composed, a substantial advancement in the art of producing vending machine structures is effected. As a result of the present teaching a superior vending machine structure is produced, which is most simple in a mechanical sense, is of a minimum weight, yet durable structurally, and requires a minimum space for both its placement as well as its servicing.

Operation The simplicity of the present vending machine structure and the absence of a bulky cabinet allows for simple overall handling. The present trend toward vending machines is ready mobility and simplicity of service. Due to its substantially lightweight construction the present device is made readily portable and, due to its substantially small bulk can be placed in and operated within a minimum of space. Once placed, the device is immediately ready for servicing, such as receiving merchandise to be vended.

By unlocking door 27 and opening it, access is provided to right-hand panel 15. By a simple pull upon handle 41 of bar '40, both lower and upper doors 19 and 21 are released to assume their opening position. By manipulating locking bar 28 of left door 26, that door can be swung open. Upper front door 21 is then raised to its opening position in which it is held by bar 56. Now merchandise can be received in mobile holder 46. Upon lifting flap 50, normally covering the upper end of fixed holder 49, access is provided to the latter for stocking it with merchandise.

The swinging out of mobile holder 46 facilitates stocking of that holder and of auxiliary holder 47 with their respective merchandise. When all the holders are filled, flap 50 is released to its depending position and holder 46 is swung into the machine. Now left-hand side door 26 is closed and held in closed position by moving bar 28 downwardly. Now the upper and lower front doors are closed and held in their closed position by bar 40 when the latter is moved by handle 41 in left-hand direction. Finally, right-hand side door 27 is closed and locked in closed position by a key operating locking bars 32 and 33. When door 27 is locked, and the key is removed, access to the interior of the machine is prevented.

The foregoing specific description of the drawings is intended for explanatory purposes only in order to facilitate the understanding of the broad principle of the instant invention which involves a substantial departure from and a marked advancement over the heretofore employed methods of producing vending machines.

It will be also understood that while the illustrations and their description pertain more or less to cigarette vending machines, the herein disclosed principle of fabricating a compact, space-saving, lightweight, sturdy and readily portable and readily serviceable vending machine structure from integrated self-reinforcing units composed of elements of the vending machine mechanism and of components of the enclosure for the latter, can be adapted for machines handling any desired type of merchandise.

Be it therefore understood that necessary structural changes required to equip the machine for vending merchandise other than that indicated are toreside within the broad scope of this invention, as defined in the annexed claims.

What is claimed as new is:

1. In a vending machine, substantially lightweight elements of a vending machine mechanism and similarly lightweight components of enclosure means for the mechanism so integrated that said elements and said components reciprocally reinforce one another, thus forming substantially lightweight but sturdy units as essential parts of the vending machine, some of the units being fixed and stationary, at least one of the units being mobile, an upper front door for the machine hingedly connected with one of the fixed units, a lower front door hingedly connected with a forward extension of said one fixed unit and adapted to interlock with said upper front door, when both upper and lower front doors are in closing position, a pair of side doors are also hingedly connected with said one fixed unit, both side doors being adapted, when in closing position, to cooperate with the opposite side edges of said upper and lower front doors when these doors are at their closing and interlocking positions, one of the side doors having manually operable detent means for keeping it in its closing position, said upper front door having manually operable detent means for holding both upper and lower front doors in their closing position, the other side door having key-operated locking means for holding it in its closed position, whereby all doors of the machine are kept in their closing position.

2. In a vending machine, substantially lightweight elements of a vending machine mechanism and similarly lightweight components of enclosure means for the mechanism so integrated that said elements and said components reciprocally reinforce one another, thus forming substantially lightweight but sturdy units as essential parts of the vending machine, some of the units being fixed and stationary, other units being mobile, operative connections provided between the fixed and mobile units, one of the fixed units being composed of a stationary merchandise holder and a component of said enclosure means, said component forming the back, the base and a top portion of the vending machine, two other fixed units, constituting essential elements of the vending machine mechanism and interior components of said enclosure means forming a pair of spaced panels which are fixedly united with and form reinforcements for the back and the base, a mobile, outwardly swingable, merchandise holder disposed between and operatively supported by said spaced panels, said mobile merchandise holder forming a spacer between and a reinforcement for said panels, when the holder is in its normal, inward position.

3. In a vending machine, substantially lightweight elements of a vending machine mechanism and similarly lightweight components of enclosure means for the mechanism so integrated that said elements and said components reciprocally reinforce one another, thus forming substantially lightweight but sturdy units as essential parts of the vending machine, and wherein some of the units are fixed and stationary, while other of the units are mobile, and operative connections provided between the fixed and mobile units, and wherein one of the fixed units is composed of a stationary merchandise holder and a component of said enclosure means, said component forming the back, the base and a top portion of the vending machine, and wherein two other fixed units, constituting essential elements of the vending machine mechanism and interior components of said enclosure means are in the shape of a pair of spaced panels which are fixedly united with and form reinforcements for the back and the base and serve as a support for a mobile, outwardly swingable, merchandise holder, the latter in turn forming a spacer between and a reinforcement for said panels, when in its normal, inward position, and wherein at least one of the mobile units constitutes an upper front door hingedly associated with said top portion of said enclosure means component forming the back and the base of the vending machine, said front door being adapted to be swung upwardly to its opening position.

4. In a vending machine according to claim 3, and wherein said base has an upwardly directed frontal extension, and wherein a lower front door is hingedly connected with said frontal extension of said base and is adapted to be swung downwardly to its opening position,

thereby providing access to said mobile, outwardly swingable merchandise holder.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 725,317 Cody Apr. 14, 1903 1,219,657 Melchert Mar. 20, 1917 1,460,879 Allen July 3, 1923 1,898,192 Larsen Feb. 21, 1933 10 Alexander Feb. 22, 1949 Everhart Feb. 17, 1953 Jones Dec. 7, 1954 Shepherd Mar, 13, 1956 Kintzel July 16, 1957 Gabrielsen et a1. Oct. 8, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS T France ..Apr. 16, 1934 

